IndyBlog

That's a lot of bread for roads

When it comes to planning ahead, not many could compete with the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, which is looking out to 2040 in planning transportation needs.

While the planning agency gets money from local, state and federal sources, it's not enough. According to a PPACG news release, the identified needs total $6 billion, and expected funding will reach only $3 billion during that time.

In any event, if you want to comment on the spending plan, here's your chance. From a news release:

PPACG has released its draft Moving Forward 2040 Regional Transportation Plan for public review and comment through Oct. 9. The plan allocates $3 billion in forecasted federal, state, and local funding available in the region to prioritized auto, bicycle, bus, pedestrian, maintenance, and operations projects. The plan establishes the vision and goals for transportation within the region and identifies existing and future needs, and is based on three years of research on the current state of transportation and land use, as well as previous citizen and PPACG board input.

Key findings include:
Through 2040, the region has $6 billion in identified needs and only $3 billion in funding.
Roads and bridges need significant maintenance and improvement.
The region has a high number of pedestrian fatalities: in 2012, for example, there were as many pedestrian fatalities as passenger-car fatalities.
Residents spend an average of 35 hours and 17 gallons of fuel annually in congestion.
20 percent fewer vehicles would be on the road if trips under 5 miles were made by bicycle or on foot.

About the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments
The Pikes Peak region’s 16 local governments join together in PPACG to collaborate on issues that cross political boundaries and to reach solutions that benefit the entire region. PPACG’s primary focus is regional planning in transportation, aging issues, and air and water quality.